For immediate release
September 21, 2010
Contact: Vincent Russo, Manager of Communications Office of the Probate Court Administrator Office: (860) 231-2442 ext. 32 Cell: (860) 490-7568 Probate Leaders Issue Statement Regarding Disciplinary Action The Probate Court Administrator and the President-Judge of the Connecticut Probate Assembly issued a joint statement today concerning the decision of the Council on Probate Judicial Conduct to publicly censure Judge Bryan Meccariello for his handling of the conservatorship of Josephine Smoron. Judge Paul J. Knierim is the state’s Probate Court Administrator, and also serves as the probate judge in Simsbury. Judge Daniel F. Caruso, of the Fairfield Probate Court, is President-Judge of the statewide association of probate judges. By statute, Judge Meccariello has the right to appeal the Council’s decision within 20 days, and the Code of Probate Judicial Conduct prohibits other judges from making public comment about the particulars of the case during the appeal period. Judge Knierim said “While our ethics code precludes us from commenting on the specific details of the case, the Council’s findings, if upheld, indicate fundamental and grave violations of the duties of a probate judge. After conducting a thorough investigation, the Council concluded that Judge Meccariello’s misconduct warranted the strongest penalty within their authority short of recommending impeachment.” “All our judges take these findings seriously,” Judge Caruso said, “The Council’s decision certainly warrants extensive soul-searching by all concerned.” Judges Caruso and Knierim both stressed that the Council’s findings indicate that the judge failed to meet the standards of conduct expected of probate judges. “Any allegation that a judge has failed to satisfy the high standards of the probate system is distressing to the dedicated judges, clerks, attorneys, conservators and families who strive every day to promote the well-being of those who need our assistance,” Judge Caruso said. Judge Knierim added, “The central mission of Connecticut’s probate courts is to safeguard the rights of our most vulnerable citizens and to treat those involved in our courts with the utmost dignity and respect. A comprehensive system of safeguards is in place to protect the rights of individuals. While the mishandling of a case is rare, even a single instance is unacceptable.”